Suspension ‘bombshell’ to Lib Dem MP who made Israel remarks

Alistair Carmichael said that David Ward had broken an undertaking to use 'proportionate and precise' languageChris Harris for The Times

David Ward, the Liberal Democrat MP, who had the party whip withdrawn after describing Israel as an “apartheid state”, said yesterday that his suspension had come as a “bombshell”.

Alistair Carmichael, the party’s chief whip, said that Mr Ward had broken an undertaking to use “proportionate and precise” language when talking about Israel, made following censure over similar remarks in January.

Mr Ward said: “I was repeatedly told the party understood my strong feelings on this issue and doesn’t want to prevent me from talking about it but, when I do, it’s not acceptable.”